Local car/bike show-bags or no bags?

[thewrenchbender]

Niece's husband talked me into parking my FJR beside his R1 at a local festival. Never done anything like this before.

So.

Opinions. Saddlebags or not? I have realtime rear bag reflectors w/Yamaha insignia FWIW.

I am thinking bags.

 

[FJRay]

What difference does it make??

 

[NTXFJR]

Bags, it's the touring part of sport-touring

 

[HotRodZilla]

Bags...Especially if you don't have the hole covers. Show off the whole bike. It won't be the most custom bike there, but it will be the most comfortable and most reliable, with the most ability to do almost anything, at a pace most people are afraid to ride. Wanna win votes, pack your bags full of ice and beer. Between them, they'll hold a case...or is it two 18 packs? Now I don't remember.

 

[majicmaker]

Bags... That's a no brainer. They make that gorgeous bike look even better. Wash and detail it. Make it look shiny.

 

[Pterodactyl]

Naw, take it on a 1000 mile ride thru rain and mud. Show it covered with bugs and road grime.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Bags...Especially if you don't have the hole covers. Show off the whole bike. It won't be the most custom bike there, but it will be the most comfortable and most reliable, with the most ability to do almost anything, at a pace most people are afraid to ride. Wanna win votes, pack your bags full of ice and beer. Between them, they'll hold a case...or is it two 18 packs? Now I don't remember.

"It won't be the most custom bike there, but it will be the most comfortable and most reliable, with the most ability to do almost anything, at a pace most people are afraid to ride."

Man, if that doesn't say it all. I wouldn't know what else to add.

 

[majicmaker]

Bags...Especially if you don't have the hole covers. Show off the whole bike. It won't be the most custom bike there, but it will be the most comfortable and most reliable, with the most ability to do almost anything, at a pace most people are afraid to ride. Wanna win votes, pack your bags full of ice and beer. Between them, they'll hold a case...or is it two 18 packs? Now I don't remember.

"It won't be the most custom bike there, but it will be the most comfortable and most reliable, with the most ability to do almost anything, at a pace most people are afraid to ride."

Man, if that doesn't say it all. I wouldn't know what else to add.

I'll bet you don't! It can even take you to Alaska and not even breath hard!

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Don't forget to turn on the multi-colored LED lighting spread around the engine and undercarriage.

 

[Tiger_993]

I say go with bags. Wash and wax the bike thoroughly and if you've got any touring farkles - phone holder, GPS, radar detector, etc. - you could put those on as well to demonstrate your full sport touring setup.

I think you'll enjoy the experience. I participated in a few small town type car shows 25 years ago when I was into Corvettes and it was a lot of fun. If you're sitting there for a few hours with nothing to do, it will get old real quick; it's the conversation with strangers about your bike, their bike, or motorcycling in general that makes these things interesting.

 

[ionbeam]

Part of the appeal of the FJR is the utility of the bike with the bags. However, I do ride without the bags sometimes. I take the bags off, run a cable lock through the handles and around a telephone pole and leave 'em. Then I run down the New England Dragway track. When done I put the bags back on the bike, open the bags and put on my warmer riding gear for the trip home at 11:00 pm when it is in the low 40s.

I'm a function over form type guy, the bags make my FJR a two wheel equivalent of a rolling Swiss Army Knife -- ready for anything.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Bags. The R1 is a very capable bike, but not as adaptable as the FJR. I do like the idea of ice and drinks in an open hardcase.

Pics, please?

 

[BkerChuck]

Bags on but take the filler plugs for one side. Carry ice and beverages maybe even a sandwich and snacks. Arrive and set up your display, removing one bag and installing the hole plugs. Lay out a small blanket to sit on and open your other bag with a picnic lunch. Relax and enjoy the envious looks of the other ill prepared commoners.

 

[MadRussian]

Leave bike at home and take your Ferrari Enzo instead.

 

[Brodie]

Mount a car tire and leave the bags and trunk at home !

Don't say a word.

Brodie

 

[dcarver]

Put a sign on the FJR -

I'm not the most custom bike here, but I am the most comfortable and most reliable, with the most ability to do almost anything, at a pace most of you are afraid to ride.

 

[Niehart]

Bags on but take the filler plugs for one side. Carry ice and beverages maybe even a sandwich and snacks. Arrive and set up your display, removing one bag and installing the hole plugs. Lay out a small blanket to sit on and open your other bag with a picnic lunch. Relax and enjoy the envious looks of the other ill prepared commoners.

+1

 

[thewrenchbender]

 

[Uncle Hud]

Mighty fine looking machine, sir. Mighty fine, indeed.

Windshield? (Lettering up the side is cool.)